John Rogers—Sealed with Blood: The Story of the First Protestant Martyr of Mary Tudor’s Reign

Overview

The life of John Rogers has been largely overlooked in recent Reformation scholarship, but, as Tim Shenton shows in this fresh biography, Rogers is rightfully placed alongside such pivotal figures as William Tyndale and Thomas Cranmer. Rogers excelled as a scholar, and his publication of what is called Matthew’s Bible was a critical step toward making the English people a “people of the book.”

Rogers died as a martyr during the reign of Mary I for what he was right to view as biblical convictions. This aspect of Roger’s life occupies significant space in this new biography, and rightly so. After all, we in the West sorely need to craft a theology of martyrdom—it would put backbone into our proclamation and living and help us remember brothers and sisters going through fiery trials even today. Remembering individuals such as Rogers is a great help in the development of such a theology.

Praise for the Print Edition

Tim Shenton has produced yet another well-documented, gripping biography of a real hero of faith—John Rogers (d. 1555), renowned biblical editor and first Marian martyr. Follow Rogers’ fascinating career from Antwerp to Germany, and back again to England, where he was arrested, remained steadfast under intense interrogation, and paid the ultimate price for confessing Christ. This is a great book about an important epigone; hopefully, Rogers will no longer be marginalized! Highly recommended for teenagers and adults.

Shenton weaves a brilliant tapestry from original sources and introduces the reader to many compelling and complex personalities. Well-proportioned in its emphasis, this history will be a vital contribution to studies of Protestant martyrs in Queen Mary’s reign.

—Randall J. Pederson, co-author of Meet the Puritans

Product Details

Title: John Rogers—Sealed with Blood: The Story of the First Protestant Martyr of Mary Tudor’s Reign

Author: Tim Shenton

Series: Day One Christian Biography Collection

Publisher: Day One Publications

Publication Date: 2007

Pages: 144

About the Author

Tim Shenton is the head teacher of St. Martin’s School and an elder at Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth. He is married with two daughters. He has researched and written extensively on church history, specializing in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Among his works are Forgotten Heroes of Revival (part of this collection), Our Perfect God (part of the 24-volume Day One Biblical and Theological Studies Collection), Opening Up 1 Thessalonians (part of the 30-volume Opening Up Commentary Collection, and an expositional commentary on the prophet Habakkuk (part of the 7-volume Exploring the Bible Commentary Collection).